A while back Vader had suggested this kind of package to build a maximum-mileage thirdgen:

GM 10134371 aluminum engine;
GM 10134359 18º Aluminum Cylinder Heads, 2.00/1.55 valves;
4.00" stroked gun-drilled crankshaft;
PM connecting rods;
3.980" cast alloy pistons (298 CID);
10.58:1 static compression ratio;
Balanced rotating assembly;
Comp 09-410-8 camshaft;
Single row roller chain timing drive;
Balance shaft deleted;
Comp 1317 roller rockers;
Comp 730 retainers and 10° locks;
Comp 942 valve springs;
Titanium push rods;
Melling M55 oil pump w/30# relief;
Full dual 2"-2¼" exhaust and cats;
Hooker 2482 headers;
High flow mufflers;
MAF/CPI injection system and PCM, Herter programmed;
87 octane (maximum) fuel;
195°F thermostat;
Single poly V belt drive.

I've parsed this down to just the engine specs, and was wondering if anybody here might have any refinement ideas. (Especially headers... I know from a PM that I'm looking for small-diameter longtubes, but I've checked the Hooker catalog, and part #2482 doesn't exist. Is 2462 a V6 longtube?)

I'll post some of the thoughts I've had as soon as I get to a computer with Word on it, these college-library machines have major software-suite deficiencies...

Anybody want to pitch their $.02 in?

 

only headers out there are pacesetter, or some hedman but try finding them

 

Just stuff a FWD 2.8 + 5 speed into a old civic. Or just buy a CRX HF.

 

Max mpg? A Huffy bicycle comes to mind

 

just get a 3.1 and a 6 speed trans with 2.73 gears and get the car down to 3000lbs

 

Exactly!!!!

I hate to come off so rude but I can't help it with the question Nedry has asked.

I'll start with the usual wisdom phrase "No such thing as a dumb question"- but this question is the exception to that rule.

Why may I ask would you spend the $6000.00+ on building the engine above to get better gas mailage and save money? Drive the one you have and spend maybe $10 per year more at most for a little more gasoiline. That motor above "may" gain you a whole 3 MPG further per gallon of gasoline- about 4 gallons per year for the average person- Totaling about 100 miles distance further traveled on the same gallons used in your current engine. You will spend that 4 extra gallons the first year alone matching any possible savings when running all over town getting parts and machine work done to build your new mileage motor.

You sir have my vote for the Darwin Award!

 

a Fiero would get great gas milage light and fast with a 2.8

 

things that help gas mileage are
headers (designed for operating at low rpm helps) i can custom build these
ignition upgrades
mild head porting with a good valve job
coatings for headers etc
a custom cam designed to have max efficiency at your normal cruise rpm
more compression
light weight components (any part of the rotating assembly is more important than static mass)
synthetic fluids and light weight also (5w-20 oil)
a custom chip to make it all work or better yet programable injection that is sequential, has a wide band, and individual cylinder fuel and spark trim.

 

Ya know if you really wanted to go the extra mile for more MPG, a super wide gear range is the way to go. Now it takes some creative work and guts to just hack n weld but a dual trans setup would get you the best of both worlds.

I had a buddy that put dual 4 speeds in his truck. 2 4 speed sticks end to end. He made the adapter real easy using two old clutch centers and an end shaft.

The best part was shifting in reverse. But it gave him a killer killer range of gears.

say a stock T5 for the first tranny but use a truck 4 speed for the 2nd as it will get more abuse from the gearing. [also short n small] I think in his 3rd was 1:1, so it acted like it wasn't even there at times.


All of this he built with simple hand tools and no money.